FOND DU LAC – As the United States marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Holy Family Catholic Community is looking to do its part in raising awareness
by offering two free screenings of the film “Sound of Freedom.” Known as modern-day slavery, human trafficking is “the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against his or his will,” according to federal law. While many times human trafficking is thought of on an international scale, human trafficking happens right here in Wisconsin. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 796 cases of human trafficking and 1,640 victims in Wisconsin since it first began its work in 2007. Victims of human trafficking come from all walks of life, no matter gender, nationality, age, or race, and it can take place in any community, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In order to raise awareness about the international and local impact of human trafficking, Holy Family Catholic Community’s Respect Life Committee wanted to host free showings of the film “Sound of Freedom.” The 2023 film follows a U.S. Special Agent as he attempts to rescue children from human trafficking.
“Sometimes, we hear the phrase ‘human trafficking’ and we don’t know what it means or what it looks like. Through hosting these screenings, we are hoping that we can help people understand it better and the terrible impact it has on its victims, including those who are right here in Wisconsin,” Holy Family Catholic Community Director of Human Concerns Erin Cobb said. The two showings will take place at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18 in Holy Family Hall, 271 Fourth Street Way. The 2:00 pm showing will feature a special talk on human trafficking from ASTOP Sexual Abuse Center Executive Director Isabel 271 Fourth Street Way Fond du Lac, WI 54937 920-921-0580 www.hffdl.org Williston, Fond du Lac Area Women's Fund Executive Director Jolene Schatzinger, and Solutions Center Domestic Violence Child and Teen Program Coordinator Rachel Wichowski. “Human trafficking is an important issue that takes all of us to be vigilant about. The Fond du Lac Area Women's Fund works in collaboration with community partners to create a world where all women and girls live in a community where they experience safety, dignity, and freedom from violence, which is one of the five areas that the Women's Fund prioritizes its efforts. With that in mind, we are glad we can help facilitate the opportunity for film attendees to find out about local resources and efforts related to reducing and preventing human trafficking,” Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund Executive Director Jolene Schatzinger said. Both showings will include a short discussion led by Holy Family Catholic Community Associate Pastor Fr. Matthew Kirk as well as an opportunity to purchase fair trade items supporting victims of human trafficking. The showings are free and open to the public. All are welcome.
